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<\/a>\nBelarussian Xata \u2013 Part One (because I need to go back \u2013 yes, it\u2019s worth doing again). Located at 1655 Sheepshead Bay Rd, Brooklyn, it\u2019s currently New York City\u2019s only Belarusian \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddfe restaurant and I\u2019m grateful for it. Xata means \u201ccottage\u201d and the memorable d\u00e9cor strives for authenticity (I\u2019m assuming this: I know food, not interior design \ud83d\ude09). The staff is attentive and helpful; since Belarus is Russia\u2019s neighbor and was once part of the Former Soviet Union, there\u2019s a lot of cross-pollination between the cuisines but if you\u2019re a purist like me they\u2019re happy to point out Belarusian specialties.<\/p>\n
The appetizer \u201cVillage Style\u201d sets out three different kinds of salo (fatback, not unlike Italy\u2019s lardo): plain, smoked, and Hungarian style, served with chunky fried potatoes and greens. So that you\u2019re not just eating unadulterated fat, I recommend constructing each forkful with a bite each of salo, potato or bread, one of the greens, and a bit of mustard. Highly enjoyable.<\/p>\n
Machanka, a traditional Belarusian specialty featured three kinds of pork \u2013 sausage, ribs, and a cut of meat \u2013 in a delicious creamy gravy that reminded me a little of veal blanquette but on steroids. All of the meats were wonderfully tender. (You have the option of ordering the dish with either blini or potato pancakes.)<\/p>\n
We also got the grilled branzino with vegetables, not a Belarusian dish, but one of us was craving fish! The kitchen did a good job here as well.<\/p>\n
Dessert was warm Orshanskie (\u201c\u0441\u044b\u0440\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0438 \u043e\u0440\u0448\u0430\u043d\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0435 \u0432 \u0447\u0443\u0433\u0443\u043d\u043a\u0435\u201d, literally Orsha cheese pancakes in a pot, Orsha being a city in Belarus), mini cheese balls with a few raisins added for good measure bathed in a sweet sour cream and poppy seed sauce. Surprisingly good!<\/p>\n
Note: Read the complete review here!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n h\/t Eat the World NYC<\/a><\/em> Instagram Post 11\/11\/2017 (Click on any image to view it in high resolution.) Belarussian Xata \u2013 Part One (because I need to go back \u2013 yes, it\u2019s worth doing again). Located at 1655 Sheepshead Bay Rd, Brooklyn, it\u2019s currently New … Continue reading
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